September 2026. Written by Lily Hospice.
In September 2026, Lily Hospice held a veteran pinning ceremony for a Navy veteran in its care at his assisted living home in Clinton Township. Members of VFW Post 6896, including the chair of Lily’s Veteran Advisory Committee, pinned his collar, saluted him and presented a certificate of appreciation for his service. Lily Hospice offers a pinning ceremony to every veteran it serves in Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, at no cost to the family.
He put on his white Navy cap for the occasion. Two veterans from VFW Post 6896 came to his assisted living apartment in Clinton Township in their post caps. One pinned his collar. Both saluted him, and he saluted back. Then they handed him a certificate of appreciation from Lily Hospice, “in recognition of your military service to the United States of America,” and his family joined him for photos.
It took about twenty minutes. Families tell us those minutes matter more than almost anything else we do.
What is a veteran pinning ceremony?
A pinning ceremony is a short, personal thank-you to a veteran near the end of life. A veteran, often another veteran who served, pins a flag or service pin on the patient, says a few words of thanks and salutes. The veteran receives a certificate of appreciation. Family, friends, a chaplain and Lily’s veteran volunteers are welcome. The ceremony happens wherever the veteran lives: at home, in assisted living, memory care or a nursing facility.
Pinning ceremonies are part of the We Honor Veterans framework that Lily Hospice follows. For many veterans it is the first time in decades anyone has formally thanked them. Some served in Vietnam and came home to no welcome at all.
How to request a pinning ceremony
- Tell us your loved one served. We ask about military service at admission, and you can tell any member of the Lily team at any time.
- We plan it with you. We set a day and time that works for the veteran’s energy and the family’s schedule, and invite the people you want there.
- Veterans honor veterans. Where possible, the pin is given by a fellow veteran, such as members of VFW Post 6896 or Lily’s veteran volunteers.
- There is no cost. Pinning ceremonies are part of Lily’s care for veterans.
Watch: a pinning ceremony in 17 seconds
More than a ceremony
Pinning is one part of how Lily cares for veterans. Lily follows the We Honor Veterans framework and has a Veteran Advisory Committee of local veterans, a Veteran Rapid Response team for veterans who need care quickly, veteran volunteers who visit veteran patients, and social workers who help families with VA benefits and burial honors. Read more on our veterans page, hospice in Clinton Township, hospice for veterans in metro Detroit, and Michigan veteran end-of-life benefits.
Photos shared with the written permission of the veteran’s family.
About Lily Hospice
Lily Hospice (CMS Certification Number 231684) is a family-owned, Medicare-certified, ACHC-accredited hospice in Troy, Michigan, serving Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties. Learn more at Lily Hospice facts.
Hospice isn’t giving up. It’s showing up. Call (248) 955-5100; a real person answers, 24 hours a day.
